Our Mission:
Welcome to Escape With Laurel, where every journey begins with curiosity and every destination has a story to tell.
Our goal is simple—to inspire people to see more of the world through authentic travel experiences, practical advice, and firsthand knowledge gathered during years of international travel. We believe the best memories come from stepping beyond the familiar and discovering the people, places, and cultures that make every destination unique.
Whether you’re planning your first international trip or adding another country to your travel list, we hope our experiences help you travel with confidence.
About John and Laurel:
John and Laurel Rodgers met online and married in April 1999. After years of working together from home, they began traveling full-time in 2014. Since then, they have visited 165 of the world’s 195 countries, exploring destinations across every inhabited continent.
Their travels have taken them from remote villages and mountain communities to busy capital cities, tropical islands, national parks, historic landmarks, and local markets. Rather than rushing from one attraction to another, they enjoy slowing down, meeting local people, and experiencing destinations beyond the typical tourist itinerary.
Every trip adds another chapter to their travel story, and Escape With Laurel is where they share those experiences with others.
What You’ll Find Here:
Escape With Laurel is designed to help travelers discover destinations around the world through practical information and real experiences.
You’ll find:
- Destination guides
- Travel planning ideas
- Hidden gems and local favorites
- Historic landmarks and cultural attractions
- Beaches, mountains, national parks, and scenic drives
- Wildlife encounters and outdoor adventures
- Cruise destinations
- Local markets and shopping districts
- Food experiences from around the world
- Photography from our travels
- Practical travel tips and advice
Whether your dream vacation is relaxing on a tropical beach, hiking through a national park, exploring ancient ruins, or wandering through colorful local markets, we hope you’ll find inspiration here.
Meet the Team:
Laurel Rodgers
Traveler, writer, photographer, and co-founder of Escape With Laurel.
Laurel enjoys discovering destinations through local culture, beautiful scenery, and everyday experiences. She documents the places she visits, shares travel ideas, and helps organize the growing collection of travel guides found throughout the site.
John Rodgers
Traveler, photographer, researcher, and co-founder.
John focuses on researching destinations, documenting attractions, photographing locations, and gathering practical travel information to help readers plan memorable trips around the world.
Together they continue building a growing collection of travel resources based on firsthand experience.
How We Travel:
Our travels focus on experiencing destinations as travelers rather than simply checking landmarks off a list.
Whenever possible, we:
- Visit local markets and neighborhoods
- Explore beyond the major tourist attractions
- Learn about local history and traditions
- Photograph destinations as they actually appear
- Discover scenic drives and lesser-known locations
- Experience regional food and local specialties
- Visit museums, historic sites, and cultural landmarks
- Share practical travel information based on firsthand experience
Our goal is to provide information that helps readers decide whether a destination is right for them and makes trip planning easier.
Our Journey Continues:
Although we’re currently back in the United States, our passion for travel hasn’t changed. At 75, travel requires a little more planning than it once did, but our desire to keep exploring the world remains as strong as ever.
We’re using this time to organize thousands of photographs, travel notes, and experiences gathered during years on the road while preparing for future adventures.
There are still new places to discover, new stories to share, and new doors waiting to be opened.
Work With Us:
If you’d like to connect, collaborate, or have a travel question, we’d love to hear from you.
Email: [email protected]
We look forward to helping you discover amazing destinations around the world.
Beyond Every Door Lies A New Adventure.